Chopping Wood by Seeger & Bernz

“‘Chopping Wood’ is Pete Seeger up close and personal like never before. Derived from years of conversations between Seeger and his close friend and collaborator David Bernz, it takes readers on a uniquely personal journey through this legendary folksinger and songwriter remarkable life and career, in his own words.” AMAZON

David & Jacob Bernz intertwine readings and fascinating spinoff stories from David’s recent book cowritten with Pete Seeger – with some of the songs mentioned in the book, integrating more recent songs and original material. A lively mix of book reading and folk concert promises an evening sure to be fun, participatory and uplifting. Who couldn’t use a few Seeger songs just now?

Derived from years of conversations between Seeger and Bernz – his close friend and collaborator – “Chopping Wood” uses Seeger’s own words, minimally edited to preserve Seeger’s trademark cadence. Hear from Bernz Pete’s own tales of Seeger learning the banjo; traveling with Woody Guthrie; at The Peekskill Riots; how Pete wrote books and put together songs. Together the duo conjures a gentle, principled and beloved man, immersing us for the evening in his humility and willingness to respect those whose opinions differed greatly from his own – vital qualities in these troubled and divisive times.
DAVID & JACOB BERNZ are a father-son team of singer-songwriters hailing from Beacon, New York, the town where Pete Seeger’s legendary cabin overlooks the mighty Hudson River. David Bernz has performed as part of “Dave, Perry, Rande,” “Stone Soup” and “Work o’ the Weavers”; he has released CDs with each. A two-time Grammy winner for producing two of Pete Seeger’s albums, he won Best Folk Album for “Pete Seeger at 89” and Best Children’s Album for “Tomorrow’s Children: Pete Seeger & the Rivertown Kids.” An accomplished musician, he was often onstage with Seeger.

Jacob Bernz grew up in Beacon around family friend and mentor Pete Seeger. A prolific young songwriter, he has already released five CDs of original material. He combines many musical influences into a genre all his own with a uniquely poetic and personal style. Together David and Jacob weave a tapestry of songs old and new.